It's Over!!

Well, last night's events were tragic. So bad I had to wait 24 hours before writing.It felt like the Sox players should have started by shouting the old Roman gladiators' salute over the PA system: morituri te salutamus, which, according to my old Haverhill HS Latin teacher, Maggie McCormick, meant "those of us about to die, salute you." The Hose were leading well into the game, 3-2. Lester gave six solid innings of two run ball on three days rest. The Hose were hitting and putting men on base and while they were doing this, the Stripes were lambasting the Rays in Tampa, seven zip into the 8th inning. It looked like the Hose were finally going to make the post-season after all of September's aggravations--LOOKED LIKE. Then, in Baltimore they had a rain delay, effectively taking Lester out of the game. Nevertheless, the Sox hung on to that slim lead while the Rays tied the Stripes at seven--after being down to a final strike. It was that close! Bard came on for the 8th and was vintage Bard--what we've come to expect, not what we've suffered with these past few weeks. He threw a perfect 8th. Sox went fairly quietly in their half of the 9th and then The Laser came to slam the door. Two men up, two K's--most of his pitches like 95+ mph missiles. Then, the O's final batter gets down two strikes--does this seem scarily familiar to a paragraph above? Bang--a double. The next guy duplicates this and it's tied. The next batter comes up and lofts a soft liner to left field. Beantown's $142MM outfielder dashes in to grab it and end the inning--and muffs the grab. It's scored a single, but hit or error, it makes no diff. The winning O's run scores and the Sox are reduced to cheering on the Stripes en masse to somehow recover and beat back the Rays. Eventually, in the Trop they reach the home 12th and Longoria, who already had a 3 run blast to his credit on the evening lines a flat bullet towards the left field foul pole. Will it be fair or foul? Will it stay in or find a nest in the cheaps? As everyone knows by now, it was the worst of both worlds for the Sox--fair and in the cheaps. Game over, season over, wait six months for the Sox. How cruel is fate?
Brief notes: Gonzo didn't win either the batting crown or the RBI title, two things he'd led for more than three quarters of the season. He did hit .338 and have over 200 hits and 117 ribbies, as well as almost 50 two-baggers. He also provided some good leadership, a trait that will continue to be valuable next year. Jake ended up over .320, a 30-30 man with 32 HR's and 39 swipes. More importantly, due to the aforementioned success and his 200+ hits, he had the most total bases in the league. The Hose also had two other season .300 hitters: Big Papi, who missed 30 HR's by one and 100 ribbies by just a couple; and Pedey. The Dustman, valiantly trying to will the Hose home to victory got another homer and ended with 91 ribbies and another .300 plus BA. However, just as last year, the key injuries were collectively too much to overcome. Youk played very little during the final month's collapse--bursitis and a sports hernia (what's the diff from a non-sports hernia, anyway?)being too terrible a duet to overcome. The only three of the season starting rotation still able to throw by September being JB, Lester and Lackey hurt. Lackey was still throwing, but for most of the season, it was a case of the Sox needing an offensive explosion to keep him in range of a W. In fact, he's only the third pitcher in MLB history to finish a season with 10 wins or more who also had a 6 plus ERA--not a distinction one really craves in this game.
So, we go into the winter despairing of what might have been--and, by necessity, if nothing else, looking forward t 2012 and hoping that the team can regain that magic that carried it through the better part of the middle of the first decade of the new century.

Right to the End

Well, here we are in Baltimore against the O's. For a team that's last in the division and worst in the entire league, the O's are sure becoming a large hemorrhoid for the Sox! Yesterday after having outlasted the Stripes in 14 innings, the Sox got taken down by the O's when JB couldn't keep the ball in the yard, even with a good K ratio for the time he was in the game.That allowed the Rays to finally tie the Hose for the Card. Tonight, after the Sox built a 5-1 lead by the 4th, they let the Birds get close again, 5-3. Then, they stretched things out again, 7-3 in the 6th when Crawford got a trip, followed by Scoots with a homer. In the 8th, Lavarnway, the catcher of the future for the Sox, made it 8-4, Sox, with his second homer of the game (he had a 3 run job in the 4th), quite a show for his first ever MLB start. So, 8th inning up 8-4, Sox are safe, right? Not so fast. This is September, 2011 for the Sox. Bard comes in to pit the noose around the Birds' neck and set up for The Laser. Unfortunately, with two outs, he gives up a pair on three hits (including a triple), and by the time the frame is closed out, it's Sox, 8-6. The Fenmen do nothing in the 9th against the O's so-so reliever Gregg and Pap comes on. First batter up, a two strike line single. Pap gets an out on a grounder, but as The Dustman tries to get the lead runner by tagging him out midway to 2d to start a DP, the guy drops to the ground and when Dusty throws on to Gonzo to attempt a double up, the lead guy gets safely to 2d. Replays show the ump was right in saying there was no tag. A Guerrero single followed by a ground out send home the O's seventh run. Finally, Pap gets the third out and we can stop reaching for the nitroglycerin tabs--for now. Sox win, 8-7 and remain tied with the Rays. One game to go! Lester's taking the ball on three days' rest. It's time to step up to the situation and grab it by the throat!

Jake Saves the Day!

Well, after more of the same this past week, bottomed by the Sox for the first time ever losing 3 of 4 to the O's in Fenway, the Card lead was down to 2.5 entering Yankee Stadium (the House that Hankie Built) on Friday. The trend continued as the Hose lost 9-1 on Saturday. Sunday had a twinbill due to Friday'
s rainout. With Wake starting the early game, the dive continued, Sox losing 6-2. The two runs in the Hose were by Jake, giving him 30 HR's and 100 ribbies for the year, and making him the first player in Soc history to be a 30-30 man. Unfortunately, the Sox need wins now, not personal records. So, entering the nitecap, the Hose Card lead was down to 1/2 game. Lackey took the ball, and by the end of the 1st, it was Stripes 3, Hose zip. One of the runs was unearned, but 3-0 is still 3-0! Lackey then turned up the heat and shut out the Stripes from then through the 6th. At the same time, the Hose were chipping, chipping and found themselves up 4-3 entering the Stripes' 7th. Part of the rebound was from JD, playing in his first game in over two months,as he drove in a run with a timely single. Unfortunately, Mr. Hankie's Yankees got the run back in their half of the 7th and the score was tied where it stayed until the 14th. During the drag through inning after inning to that 14th, the Hose bullpen was outstanding. No runs, and when The Laser came in to face the Stripes with bases loaded and two out in the 9th, he struck out the batter on 3 pitches--zip, Zip ans ZIP! Was that it for Pap? Hell, no! He stayed around for what has to be one of his all time best Sox performances, going a total of 2 1/3 perfect innings and getting 4 K's. He was followed by Morales for a couple and then in the 14th, the Hose found themselves with two gone and two on. Jake came to the plate, took a look and noticed that the Stripes seemed to be lacking enough balls in their bullpen in right center. Being a very considerate and charitable sort, he decided to help remedy the situation--by sending them another ball to play with--airmail express! First pitch and Jake took a knee high heater up and away--into said Stripes pen! As a reward for his charity, the Hose added three runs to their total and, with Dubront pitching the bottom of the inning, won the game. The Card lead is now one with three to go, and the Sox for the season are 12-6 on the Stripes, as nice a double as any!

What A Week It's Been: Bookends Continued

Well, as those of you who faithfully follow this site know, I've missed a few games. But, if you faithfully also follow the Sox as I do, you know there haven't been too many recent games to cheer about! They have continued, through yesterday's early game, to create the second half of the season's bookends. Many issues here, but the biggest continues to be injuries--the same thing that kept the Hose from last year's post-season. Most of the troubles are now in the rotation, with only JB and maybe Lester healthy. Bedard is just making his first start in a couple of weeks due to a strained muscle, Bucky is still out with that fracture in his back, although if the Hose make the playoffs, he may be available. Everyone else is just thrust in there to stem the tide. It's like the fable of the Dutch boy who stuck his finger in the dike. Unfortunately, with very few exceptions, the stuck fingers here haven't been thick enough to stop the leaking. Add to this Youk's bursitis complicated by a sports hernia (Is that different from a regular garden variety hernia? I've once had one of those and know the issues.) Add in a few subpar performances from normally reliable players and you have our second half bookend. Even the umps have contributed. Yesterday's early game had the Hose trailing by what became the final, 6-5 and Papi drilled one that replay after replay showed was fair and probably would have been at least a double, but the umps called it foul. After that, Papi went quietly and so did the Hose' hopes.
At least yesterday's late game was a partial reversal in trends. Sox got a season high tying 18 runs on 20 hits, including Jake's 27th HR, an inside the park job. Gonzo got a couple of hits to help the cause and also put a little distance between himself and those pursuing him for the silver bat.
So, going into today's games, the Hose lead the Card by a pair, with the Rays facing the Stripes in the House that Steinnie Built to replace the House That Ruth Built. Keep your fingers crossed. It's going to be a wild ride to the finish. I think the Sox can do it. Now they have to perform!

This Is More Like It!--Wake Gets 200th!

Well, tonight's game was fittingly a confluence of good things for the guys from the Fens. Entering under the weight of a five game losing streak and the Rays only three to the rear, the Hose put everything together (well, almost everything) and erupted. That's the only way to describe it. After trading the lead back and forth through three, the Sox finally took control for good in the 4th, at 6-5 and just kept adding on after that, topped off by a seven run, 11 batter 8th, to crush the Jays 18-6. This is the Hose biggest run total this year and it came with 18 hits, nine of them for extra bases, three of those for the cheaps. All of this without Papi, but I'll get to that in more detail later. Both Jake and The Dustman had four hits apiece, with Pedey having a pair of homers and a pair of doubles, reaching 20 HR's on the year and equalling his career best five RBI's in a game.Gonzo added an RBI to his total, remaining in striking distance of Granderson for regaining the league lead, and also maintaining his batting lead.Speaking of ribbies, Jake now has 94 and only needs a half dozen for the century and has 15 games to go. Good chance. If Papi gets back in quickly, the Hose have a good shot at three players with over 100 for the year.Out of all of this, the Sox gained a game on the Rays, who lost to Baltimore.
The other big news was that Wake finally, in his eighth try, became the 109th pitcher in MLB history to get 200 wins. Thought he had it a week ago against these same Jays, but the pen let him down then. Tonight the team had too many runs for that to be anything more than a remote possibility, and Aceves held the margin. Congrats, Wake, for a well deserved W. Many more to come.
Now, on the negative side of things, injuries, there was good and bad news. The good: Yoouuk came back into the lineup, in spite of everything that's been hurting, and, although no hits, the fact that he's playing with both bursitis and a hernia is just amazing--and just Yoouukk--true guts! Also, there's news that JB did a pen session and is expected back in the rotation by the weekend. Hopefully, that will work out. To the negative, Papi started the game, but had to be pulled even before he got a chance to hit, due to back spasms. Prognosis: have to wait overnight and see.

A Bookend Nobody Wants!

Well, after the start of the season at 0-6 was overcome, I figured that the team would stay out of trouble for the most part and contend for the division, as well as make a strong bid for the Series--just as most 'Experts' were predicting. Now here we are, having lost five in a row and eight of ten and looking like it's going to be a real race just to make the post-season, let alone take the Div. This type of 'bookend' no-one wants--or needs! Yes, we're still in striking range of the Stripes and first in the AL East, but we're also just 3.5 up on the streaking Rays--who just took four in a row from the Sox and will face the Hose again this weekend in the Fens.
The injury bug has returned almost as bad as last year, Youk has added a hernia to his hip problems. Bucky is already out with a fracture in his back, and, although now doing long toss, it's anyone's guess when (if?) he'll be back and effective before season's end. JB's got a sprained ankle and just missed one turn. Day-to-day means he could miss a couple more--just what we don't need. Now Bedard has a strained lat muscle and left Tampa early to talk to the docs. No telling when/if he'll be able to go again.
Hose get a day off today before hosting the Jays and hopefully, they can turn things around again. If not, it could be a long, cold winter and an exclusive undivided view of the Pats.

It's Getting Worse!

This was supposed to be the time when the Hose would be getting close to clinching the AL East title! All that added talent, the "best rotation" in the AL; etc., etc, etc. Well, the injury bug hasn't been as bad as last year when it kept the Hose out of the playoffs totally, but it's been bad enough. Bucky's been gone for nearly two months and "may" be ready to throw from a mound by this weekend (but who knows if or when in a game); JB's got a sudden ankle sprain and is day-to-day, but is already missing one start, maybe another. Youk's back out with hip bursitis and may not play before the next homestand, starting next Thursday. And, the W-L record is looking pretty serious. Sox lost to the Rays tonight, their 3d loss in a row and 5th of six games overall. The Rays have quietly crept back into distant contention, but contention nevertheless for the wild card, just 5.5 behind the Sox after tonight's latest Lackey-luster effort. About the only good thing that can be said about the Hose this week is that they are always fighting. However, "always fighting" still doesn't cut it if the result is a large "L". One other good thing: Jake stretched his consecutive game hit streak to 14. Sox ribbie leaders Jake, Papi and Gonzo still have an opportunity to get a trio of century RBI men, but we're down to 18 games. Papi needs eight and Jake needs ten. Gonzo's already there and, entering tonight's game was in second in the league (to go with his league leadership in hits and B.A.).The team still has an outside chance at three 30 homer guys as well, but it's going to be tight.

Latest Update

I've been a bad boy--Labor Day weekend and hosting friends and family at Stinson Beach--my special Merlot leg of lamb on Saturday, followed by tons (at least it seemed that way) of good old fashioned deli cuts on Sunday, topped off by canoeing and kayaking (the vid of me capsizing the kayak that was miles too small will possibly go viral). Anyway, while this was ll going on, the Hose were slipping behind the Stripes, losing five of seven, including yesterday's one zip tragedy to an 11th inning HR by one of the Jays' minor league callups. Possibly more serious than the loss was JB's sprained ankle that popped up suddenly in the 4th inning that took him from the game. He's day to day--likely will miss one start.
However, today, the Sox started making up for the past frustrating week. Knocking twenty hits around the Jays' home park, the Sox walked away with this one, 14 zip. They scored in 6 of the nine innings, and, in fact, it was 13-0 after just five. Lester looked great, allowing three harmless singles in seven innings, while getting 11 K's and his 15th W. His game WHIP was 0.57. Offensively, everyone of the starters but Pedey got at least one hit, with Papi and Scoots getting four apiece and Gonzo picking up three. Of the Sox' 20 hits, 11 were extra bases, a pair going into the cheaps. Gonzo now has 105 ribbies and Papi has 91, looking like a sure bet for the century. Jake,though not adding to his RBI total, got his 38th two bagger and still looks like a good shot at the ribbie century. Presently, there are at least four members with at least 32 2B's each, three of them at 37 or more, and Gonzo at 42. Gonzo's league leading BA got back over the .340 mark at .342, giving him a little bit of breathing room over Texas' Mike Young, down to .333 after tonight's game. Stripes were long rain delayed,. so too early to see if the guys from the Fens gained ground on them or not.